Makoto does hesitate briefly, as Absinthe calls back. For a moment, there is that realization that there was probably no taking back their decision, once they entered (or at least, no going back on it without drawing too much attention to themself.) Going in would be opening the Pandora's Box, and within would either be the reassurance that they were as human now as they were before...

... Or, they'd learn something about themself less than pleasant.

They take a deep breath in, holding it for a second, before exhaling. Whatever happens... Whatever they're told, they are still themself. Howard is still Howard, and they are still Makoto.

So, they open the door, and step inside.

The smell of chemicals and the dead hits them immediately; while they might be able to pick out maybe one or two scents if they tried, everything else was a dizzying mess that almost left them lightheaded.

But, they persevered forward - closing the door behind them and stepping forth. "You're... Absinthe, right?" They questioned - adding "I'm Makoto. I, uhm... I heard of you, from Admin Fox and Beast Quinn." Howard and Tempest.

Makoto felt as pinned as the Beautiflies on the wall, under Absinthe's gaze. Green met green - though if it came down to it, Makoto would've blinked first.

They are thankful then, that she was just as much focused on cleaning her workstation as she was on them. They watch somewhat - more focused upon the scientist than her work - as she sets aside beakers and bottles and the like. None of the chemicals here looked as though they'd bode well for anyone, none of them seemed like something you'd see a professor or doctor employ.

Through and through, she was a scientist - a scientist of death, perhaps. But to understand death, you had to understand life as well, Makoto imagined - so she would still do for what they needed. So, they responded "I've... Heard that you're an intelligent woman. Good with research and intel alike..."

Makoto pauses a second, considering, before adding "... And... that you'd keep things confidential, if I asked."

Their own gaze is appraising now. Even if most of Absinthe's face is hidden, they know that there are still plenty of muscles around the eyes that express just as much as the mouth. Squints at the corners from one's smiles, the quirks of one's eyebrows... They watch for any tells that'd imply whether they'd be able to trust her.

The promise made sets Makoto at ease. There is still an undercurrent of uncertainty, the sort that they hold for every Rocket that they're unfamiliar with - the uncertainty of 'can I really trust them?'... But they allow themself to push those uncertainties away, for at least this once.

"I'm... In possession of a Deoxys, named Erebus." This is no secret - at least within Rocket. "During the fighting in Mossdeep... My end of things had gotten out of hand - and when we were outnumbered and got backed into a corner, Erebus... Temporarily fused with me." Symbiosis still felt like the wrong word, for how much the events had left them shaken.

Makoto takes in a deep breath, before exhaling slow. It was a bit easier to recount it all, but it still felt that slightest bit raw to talk about. "I worry that... Even if everything about me still looks fine on the surface, that there might have been lingering effects. That underneath the skin, there's something about me that's no longer the same..."

That there could still be pieces of Erebus left behind.

"I want you to give me a check up - to analyze me for anything that... isn't normal. I've brought Erebus with me, if you need it as a reference point."

Even if Absinthe is not warm or sympathetic about it... That she at least seems as though she understands where they're coming from with their concerns is a comfort. It helps them in feeling that they aren't necessarily crazy for being worried about this. "Thank you." They murmur - even if they aren't wholly clear on what they're thanking her for.

Perhaps they'd be okay, they thought to themself for maybe the sixth time today.

At the mention of samples, Makoto nods a little - moves to settle into the chair without needing any prompting. They never did get used to things like needles all that much - but their feelings on that felt so distant when compared to their present worries...

... But, that being said, there was something they did want to mention to Absinthe. "Erebus... Isn't the most comfortable with research or medical settings, I've noticed. It's cooperative as long as you communicate what's going on and don't surprise it, though." They felt like they were starting to figure out why - that something had happened that perhaps left it feeling more vulnerable than it liked in a past encounter.

But thus far, they were pretty sure that as long as Erebus' boundaries were respected, it wouldn't be a danger.

Makoto smiles a little and nods, at Absinthe's assurance. It sets them at ease as much as it likely would Erebus. The last thing they wanted was for it to lash out at someone...

... But first was their own sample. Makoto makes a point to not look too hard at the needle, as they lay their arm out as instructed. As a result, they almost miss the glint in Absinthe's eyes - sharp like the needle she holds. But they dare not glance back to make sure that they saw what they did - they didn't want their nerves to get the better of them by seeing too much of the needle.

For all of their unease with needles though, Makoto does well in holding still for Absinthe - taking in a deep breath as she orders them, before exhaling it slow and measured as it sinks in. It's over before they can so much as register it happened - something quite impressive, when they think to distant memories of doctors visits to get a shot as a child.

Getting up, Makoto can't help rubbing the site a little - as if to try and ease a lingering faint soreness - before they reach for the pokeballs on their belt, and let out Erebus.

The Deoxys blinks, as it finds itself in the laboratory. There is enough equipment that it can register this as one, as something like in Rocket HQ. But this is different - and in some ways, it is equal parts unsettling and soothing. This place does not hold the same stigma that Rocket HQ's laboratories does for it. But at the same time, it is an unknown.

Ultimately, that Makoto is at ease keeps it at ease, even if only tentatively. Reaching out mentally, it brushes against both Makoto's and Absinthe's minds with a sense of inquiry. A question without words.

"She took a sample from me - and wants a sample from you, too, for comparison." Makoto explains - glancing to Absinthe, to let her explain what will go on. They hope that Erebus knowing they went through this process, too, would make things more agreeable for it.

Erebus studies Absinthe for a few long moments, considering this. Indeed, that Makoto seemed to be perfectly fine from this procedure helped to set it at ease - and so did knowing the specifics. Though, it recognized the hunger in her eyes. Something it'd see on an occasion, in the eyes of many people in Rocket. Everyone hungered. In a way, it did, too - though this was not something it expressed openly.

Any glances to its face would find its expression unerringly flat; mainly due to the lack of a mouth or eyebrows to emote with. But, it was nonetheless cooperative; its tentacle limbs twining and reshaping into more humanlike arms, one of which it would extend to Absinthe in a quiet consent.

Whereas Makoto would not watch the drawing with the needle though, Erebus would observe it - as if it, too, was curious to see what she might draw up with her needle. It indeed had a circulatory system, to carry nutrients and absorbed material alike throughout its body. But whether its blood was like that of other living creatures' was the question.